Accelerated Master's in Physics
Eligibility
Juniors and seniors currently working towards B.A. or B.S. degrees with a major in physics at UMass Amherst may apply to the Accelerated Master of Science program, also called a 4+1 program. This program provides a route for motivated students to obtain both their bachelor's and master's degree in 5 years.
Application Process
The standard application procedure for admission to the graduate program applies to the accelerated M.S. degree in Physics. Students must have completed two 400 level courses by the end of the semester in which they apply.
- For Juniors applying to the accelerated MS program, application review begins on November 30, with a deadline for application of April 1.
- for Seniors applying to the accelerated MS program, application review begins on November 30. Your application must be received by January 3 or you cannot be considered for the accelerated program
Program Requirements
The requirements of the accelerated M.S. are the same as for the non-accelerated M.S. program with the advantage that up to 12 credits of graduate work (500 level courses and above), taken while enrolled as an undergraduate, may be counted towards the Masters degree. Up to six of these may also be used to satisfy the baccalaureate degree requirements.
- A minimum of 30 graduate credits taken(course number 500 or higher)
- At least 12 credits shall be at 600-level or higher
- At least 21 of the credits must be in physics
- At least 21 of the total credits must be for a letter grade, and the GPA must be at least 3.0. Note that the Graduate Program Director must provide approval before a course may be taken as Pass/Fail;
- Independent Study credits are allowed, up to a maximum of 6 credits. All Independent Study credits must be approved by the Physics Graduate Program Director, who will ask that a comprehensive plan be drawn to ensure that the credits earned reflect a sufficiently high level of study or training and that the means of evaluating performance are appropriate;
- A maximum of 12 credits of graduate work(500 level courses and above), taken while enrolled as an undergraduate at UMass, may be considered toward the Masters degree. Up to six of these may also be used to satisfy the baccalaureate degree requirements. Courses taken as Pass/Fail cannot be transferred and the minimum grade for transferable credits is a B.
Additional Information
Additional information for prospective 4+1 students can be found on this page: https://www.umass.edu/physics/accelerated-ms-program.